The project I'm sharing today is so easy that I almost didn't blog about it. You can whip this craft up in ten minutes and everything you need to make this adorable Vintage styled Spring Banner can be found at the dollar store. Just like wreaths, hanging cute and playful banners for each new season just makes me happy. What about you? I hang them on the fireplace mantel, mirrors, chalkboards, or above dressers and cabinets. They aren't just for parties anymore!

Vintage Styled Spring Banner Using Dollar Store Finds

I've had the banner hanging on our stair railing since March. Like I said, it's so simple to make that I hadn't planned on sharing it. But then I got to thinking since DIY bunting banners are so popular on Pinterest, other people must love them too. It's still Spring here in the northern hemisphere so I figured it wasn't too late to finally share it.

Here in the Edmonton area, we've had snow for several days and it feels more appropriate to be hanging a Christmas banner in MAY! 😒 I recently moved the banner from the stair railing and hung it on a large chalkboard in our kitchen as a daily reminder that it is in fact Spring. I like how it pops against the dark black.

Pretty Spring scrapbook paper embellished each flag but I couldn't stop there. Giving the bunting banner an aged appearance adds so much vintage charm.

Fun alphabet stickers spell the word S P R I N G across the banner.

And some flags are embellished with other stickers like the cute tags below that spell the word WISH to compliment the butterfly which symbolizes change, hope, and life.

More cute round sticker tags spell the word ENJOY to compliment the bike and the paths it will take the rider on.

But my favorite embellishment is the adorable crocheted bird bottle cap on the first letter S flag.

What you'll need to make it

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience in case you can't find the items I used or recommend to make this project at your local dollar store. See my full disclosure policy.

These are the items I used to make the Spring bunting banner.

Materials List

Colored Paper (similar)
Spring Scrapbook Paper (similar)
Alphabet Stickers (alternatives)
Word Stickers (alternatives)
Crochet Wrapped Bottle Caps
Colored Mini Clothespins
Twine
White School Glue, Mod Podge or Glue Stick
Burned Umber Acrylic Craft Paint
Small Sponge
Scrapbooking Paper Cutter

Here's how to make it

1. I made a simple graphics below so you could see how I made templates for both the flags and flag overlays for the banner. I would suggest making them with either cardstock or thin cardboard. Cut the templates out with a paper cutter or scissors for a less precise cut.
2. Trace the flag template onto assorted solid colored scrapbook paper and cut them out with a paper cutter. 
3. Use the second template to trace flag overlays onto pretty scrapbook paper and cut with a paper cutter. 

1. Glue the scrapbook paper overlays onto the colored paper flags with white school glue, Mod Podge, or a glue stick. After the glue dries, have fun embellishing the flags.
2. Embellish the banners with whatever you have on hand or can find at the dollar store. I used word stickers from booklets I found at the dollar store. 
3. I also embellished the first flag with adorable crochet wrapped bottle cap that came in a package of three.
4. Spell the word S P R I N G with colorful alphabet stickers across the banner. You may want to dab a little glue behind the stickers for extra adhesion. 

This next step takes the bunting banner from looking like a brand new craft to one that has a vintage style look like it's been around for years.

This is what the bunting banner looked like before aging it.

And here it is after being aged. Wouldn't you agree that it has far more character and charm?

How to age the scrapbook paper

I aged the scrapbook paper by pouncing burned umber craft paint with a small damp seafoam sponge. Much like you do when stenciling, offload the excess paint onto a paper towel and pounce in an up and down motion over the solid colored paper. Add more paint along the edges where they would naturally age over time and overlap some of the paint onto the edges of the pretty scrapbook paper too.

Time to hang it!

Cut a long strand of twine the length of the mantel, mirror, chalkboard or wherever you plan to hang your banner. Add an extra 24 inches if you'd like strands trailing down each side. Attach the flags onto the twine with mini clothespins and you're done!

I told you it was easy peasy 😀

Sadly, for the same reasons I mentioned in my opening paragraph, I've never shared my other bunting banners on the blog. I did make a couple of mini banners for the DIY wedding card boxes for our children's weddings. You can find them in the Rustic Wedding Card Holder and Beach Destination Wedding Card Box posts. This serves as a good reminder that I need to share more seasonal bunting banners on the blog.

For more DIY Spring inspiration visit my Spring Projects Page.

If you have any questions about this craft, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Will you be hosting Easter dinner or brunch? Are you like me and prefer setting the table ahead of time? I like to remove the "so where shall we sit" question as everyone gathers to the table by having assigned seating. Assigned or not, it's always nice to add a little something extra to each place setting to make guests feel welcome. This year I made charming budget-friendly French Country Easter Place Holders with Ray Dunn inspired Easter egg name cards.

How To Make Charming French Country Place Holders

The possibilities for filling the mini flower pots are endless. Set a chocolate Easter bunny or colorful jelly beans inside for guests to enjoy after dinner. Plant a succulent, pretty hyacinth, or add votive candles for guests to take home.

But these pretty pedestal name cards don't have to be used just for Easter. I plan on using mine often for family dinners. The fun is coming up with new ideas after storing the eggs until next Easter.

If you know someone getting married, these would make such pretty wedding place cards and/or guest favors.

The list is endless how these painted mini terracotta pots with saucers and wood pedestal bases could be used.

I'll fill the saucers with Easter M & M's like the one below when I set the table.

There will be eight of us for Easter dinner but unfortunately, I only had six pedestal chalkboards in my stash. Two painted terracotta flower pots and saucers will be without pedestal bases which are perfect for our grandchildren's place settings. They will less likely get knocked over then.

What you'll need to make them...

Did I mention that everything you need to make these French Country place holders can be found at the dollar store?

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make this project. See my full disclosure policy.

I'll find another use for the chalkboards later. They are leftover from our daughter's wedding three years ago so I'm happy to finally give them another purpose.

Materials List

Mini Terracotta Flower Pots and Saucers
Pedestal Chalkboard Stands (base only)
White Plastic Decorating Easter Eggs
E6000 Glue
Clear Packing Tape
Laser Printer
Scissors
Mod Podge
Upper Canada Chalk Paint
Raw Silk Chalk Paint
Clear Chalk Paint Wax
Easter Grass or Moss
Easter Candy (optional)

Here's how I did it...

Pedestal base assembly

First, remove the chalkboards from the pedestal bases. Glue the mini terracotta saucers onto the center of the pedestal bases with E6000 glue and set aside.

Paint Mini Terracotta Flower Pots

While the glue cures is a good time to paint the mini terracotta flower pots. First I gave them two coats of Upper Canada green chalk paint that I had on hand but you could use craft paint as well. The porous terracotta absorbed the paint quickly and they were dry to the touch in mere minutes. It didn't take long to have all eight pots finished.

To add the pretty French Country look we'll be dry brushing white paint over the green paint. I used white Raw Silk chalk paint that I had on hand but white craft paint would be fine too.

Dip just the tips of an inexpensive chip brush into the paint and offload the excess onto a paper towel so very little paint is left on the brush. With little pressure on the brush, swipe across the painted flower pots in long random brush strokes. You want the green to be visible underneath.

Paint pedestal bases

Once the glue has cured on the bases, paint the wooden pedestals and flower pot saucers with the same white paint used to dry brush the flower pots. While waiting for the paint to dry we'll move on to the Easter eggs nameplates.

How to make clear decals for the Easter eggs

Would you believe the Ray Dunn inspired typography on the eggs are actually DIY decals? I had been itching to try a new to me image transfer technique using packing tape. They are so quick and easy to make and now I want to go around the house and decal all our glass containers!

Step 1:

I went over to PicMonkey to create a graphic with everyone's name. I sized the graphic for letter size 850 x 1100 paper and used the Amatic font sized at 150 pt. I couldn't decide whether to label the eggs in black ink or a similar green to the flower pots so I made each name in both.

Next, print the graphic on regular bond paper using a laser printer ONLY. Let the ink dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step 2:

Place packing tape over the names and overlap the tape slightly on each row of tape. Rub a credit card or brayer over the tape for a tight bond to the paper. Cut out each name close to the letters. I decided to use the black ones.

Step 3:

Fill a small bowl with warm water and soak your tape covered labels for a few minutes. With your fingers rub the paper away from the back of the tape. Tada, now you have clear decals!

Lay the decals tape side up to dry on a paper towel.

Step 4:

Brush Mod Podge on white plastic Easter eggs from the dollar store. You could use hard boiled eggs but I wouldn't suggest blown eggs because they may be too delicate for the pressure to rub on the decals.

Place the clear decal over the Mod Podge and rub with your finger to get a good bond with the egg.

Step 5:

Once dry, brush a coat of Mod Podge over the decal and let dry. Repeat another coat of Mod Podge if necessary.

Pedestal flower pot place holder assembly

Now that the painted flower pots are dry, glue them onto the center of the saucers with E6000 glue.

Once the glue is totally cured, protect the paint on the place holders with clear wax and buff to a matte finish.

When setting your Easter table, fill the flower pots with Easter grass or moss. Add your Ray Dunn inspired Easter egg place cards in the French Country Easter place holders and fill the saucers with Easter treats.

So what do you think? Would you make these French Country pedestal flower pots for your Easter table or use them for another purpose?

Here are a couple more ideas to dress up your Easter table. I made this Whimsical Easter Centerpiece with fun chair spindle carrots and speckled colored eggs. I always have these Spring Burlap Cutlery Holders on our Easter Table. They are also wonderful to have on a buffet table.

For more Easter OR Spring inspiration visit my Spring|Easter page.

If you have any questions about this makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Are you one of those people itching to head outdoors this time of year to play in some dirt? If so, are you a veggie gardener or are flower gardens more your thing? I haven't mastered either but that doesn't stop me from trying. Whatever your preference, this easy Spring Garden Lovers Wreath has the gardener in mind.

What makes this gardeners wreath unique is that it has that I've been digging in the dirt look. No squeaky clean garden tools were used in the making of this wreath.

Easy Spring Garden Lovers Wreath

Oh, and did I mention that almost everything you need to make this budget-friendly wreath can be found at the dollar store. You can dirty it up or keep it clean - the choice is all yours.

As you can see I made the wreath with the veggie gardener in mind but you could easily add vintage floral ephemera instead. 

At a cost of around $13 for supplies, I'd say the dollar store finds for making this Spring wreath is a budget-friendly alternative to a readymade wreath.

Here's how I did it...

These are some of the supplies I used to make the wreath. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make this project. See my full disclosure policy.

The grass is always greener wreath form

First I stained the back of the 12-inch MDF wreath form with Bayou Moss gel stain to give it a finished look. This step is completely optional.

I used self-adhesive faux grass tiles on the front of the wreath form. Set the wreath form on the backing paper side of the faux grass and trace with a pencil. You'll notice in the photo below that I cut the grass in sections. That's only because I had a partial grass tile leftover from another project and used what was left.

TIP: Cut the faux grass on the generous side of the pencil marks.

Peel the backing paper as you work and add a dab of hot glue every so often for extra adhesion.

To conceal any bald spots in the grass and cover the inner and outer edges of the wreath form I used Kelly Green craft paint. You could paint the back of the wreath form this color too instead of stain like I did.

Add some age to those brand new garden tools

Like I mentioned at the top of this post, I want an imperfect wreath that looks like it was embellished with used garden tools. That meant aging and dirtying up the brand new house plant garden tools.

Starting with the wooden handles, I removed the glossy finish with 150 grit sandpaper and aged them by rubbing dark wax into the wood. You can see the difference between the sanded handle on the trowel and the dark waxed one on the fork in the photo below.

The black shiny finish on the metal parts of the garden tools was too new and pristine looking. I dulled the finish by painting them with blackened bronze metallic paint. Once that was dry, I randomly dabbed in a pouncing motion silver metallic paint with an art brush.

To give the tools a galvanized metal appearance I mixed a drop each of the bronze and silver metallic paint on a paper plate and dabbed it randomly as well. But I didn't stop there - those tools needed some dirt!

Get some dirt on those garden tools

Have you ever made fake dirt? Brush white school glue along the bottom of the garden tools and sprinkle the grounds from your morning coffee over the glue. Ta-da, instant fake dirt (pictured above).

While the dirt was drying I made a bow for the wreath with a spool of 1 1/2 inch floral ribbon from the dollar store. I can't make a decent freehand bow if my life depended on it so I cheat by using this bow maker tool.

The well-used garden gloves

The brand new garden gloves just wouldn't do so I slipped them on my hands and played in some dirt so they looked like they've planted a few veggies.

Vintage vegetable seed packets

A garden lovers wreath wouldn't be complete without some seed packets. I found these vintage vegetable seed packets printable on Etsy.

But first before printing them I aged a sheet of watercolor paper (bond or card stock is fine too) by brushing layers of cooled but well-steeped black tea.

To make this wreath you need to enjoy a morning coffee and afternoon tea!

Once the tea stained paper is completely dry, print the seed packets and cut three out for the wreath.

Spring daffodils and purple pansies  

Cut the stems off each of the dollar store floral picks. Divide the daffodils and pansies equally into two small bunches and wrap with florist wire.

Layer the wreath embellishments

Layer One - Garden Gloves: Starting with the dirty garden gloves attach them onto the wreath with jute twine with the fingers fanned and pointing up (pictured below).

Layer Two - Garden Tools: attach the aged garden trowel and rake on top of the gloves and secure with jute twine. Don't worry about cutting the tails of the twine as we'll have them trail down the wreath.

Layer Three - Faux Florals: attach one bundle of faux daffodils and pansies with florist wire tucking the stems just under the cuff of the garden gloves. Attach the second bundle with the stems tucked just under the fingers of the garden gloves.

Layer Four - Large Bow: attach the floral bow over the cuff of the garden gloves so it hides where the flower stems and gloves were tied onto the wreath.

Layer Five - Vintage Seed Packets: attach the three vintage seed packets with dabs of hot glue on the opposite side tucking them just under the top of the flowers.

To hang the wreath make a hanger by forming a small piece of jute twine into a loop and hot glue onto the back of the wreath.

What you'll need to make this...

Dollar store supplies:
12-inch MDF Floral Craft Ring Wreath Form
House Plant Garden Tools
1 1/2 Inch Floral Ribbon
Natural Jute Twine
Green Florist Wire
Faux Yellow Daffodils and Purple Pansies
Self-Adhesive Grass Tile
Garden Gloves
White School Glue
Kelly Green Craft Paint
Silver Metallic Paint

Other supplies: (some you may find at the dollar store)
Vintage Seed Packets (alternatives)
Bow Maker Tool (optional)
Coffee Grounds
Black Steeped Tea
Dark Wax
Craft Hot Glue Gun
Silver Metallic Paint
Blackened Bronze Metallic Surfacer
Bayou Moss Gel Stain (optional)

So which would be your preference; the keeping it clean OR I've been digging in the dirt version?

If you have any questions about this wreath, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I enjoy making wreaths for each new season rather than readymade options because the possibilities for creative embellishments are endless. Aside from the front door, I love hanging them on mirrors and interior doors. I made this DIY Birdhouse Wreath and have it hung on the mirror in our front entry for both Spring and Summer.

For more DIY wreath ideas visit my Wreaths For Every Season board on Pinterest. For DIY Spring decor ideas visit my Spring|Easter page.

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.

Today I'm sharing a whimsical and budget-friendly upcycled Easter centerpiece box idea that includes two easy and fun DIY's to embellish it. You may have everything you need on hand to make one for your Easter table this year. If not, a trip to both the dollar store and your local thrift store should have you covered.

For well over a decade I've had a long bronze metal planter that came filled with artificial wheatgrass on our basement fireplace mantel collecting dust. It was the perfect height for the narrow gap between the mantel and the large television hanging above. But I can't tell you how many times over the years I'd tell myself to get rid of the darn thing because I didn't know what else to do with it.

Then a few weeks ago I had a lightbulb moment when I saw my friend Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods hobnail milk glass Easter vases and my thoughts immediately went to my long-neglected tin planter.

How To Update A Whimsical Easter Centerpiece Box

With just a little white paint I gave the bronze planter a fresh new look and then planted some fun chair spindle carrots and DIY speckled Easter eggs into the faux grass to make an adorable whimsical centerpiece for our Easter table this year!

Any tin, metal, wood, plastic, or glass vessel will work for this centerpiece, all you need is some faux OR real wheatgrass to fill it.

I'll show you how easy it is to make the DIY speckled eggs further down in this post.

...and the adorable chair spindle carrots.

But if rustic Farmhouse wood planters are more your taste, I share a couple of tutorials on how to make two different styles in my Rustic Wedding Centerpiece Boxes post and Christmas Planter Box post.


Let's take a look at my bronze planter before I refreshed it with paint.

What a difference a little white paint made, wouldn't you agree?

So here's how I did it...

Upcycled Tin Flower Box

I painted the bronze tin planter with two coats of Fusion raw silk mineral chalk paint both inside and out.

Once the paint dried I distressed it with 220-grit sandpaper and protected the paint with a coat of clear wax, buffed to a matte finish.

While the wax was curing I set about to clean the dusty faux wheatgrass mats by setting them in the kitchen sink and using the spray nozzle. While the grass was drying on a towel I filled the centerpiece box 2/3 full with pea gravel from the dollar store.

DIY Speckled Easter Eggs

You can make DIY speckled eggs in less than five minutes with colored chalkboard plastic eggs from the dollar store - no painting required! Of course, you can use the real thing too. You will need some dark grey or charcoal craft paint and either a paintbrush or toothbrush.

Squirt a little graphite craft paint onto a paper plate and dilute with a drop or two of water. Dip the brush into the paint and flick the bristles on the brush to spray flecks of paint onto the eggs.

Funny story about my speckled eggs...

Well, it wasn't so funny at the time.

I set myself up on a table on the far end of the workshop and had my eggs set in an egg carton inside a cardboard soda pop tray to keep my work surface clean. Apparently, I was having too much fun with the paint splattering because on the opposite side of the room, I had just finished the last coat of paint on my Pink Ombre Waterfall Dresser.

You probably guessed where I'm going with this.

Not only did I have speckled eggs but a speckled pink dresser too! Panic set in because it isn't quick and easy to paint furniture ombre, especially considering it was my first time trying the technique.

Thankfully I was able to wipe the grey specks with a damp cloth before they dried.

DIY Chair Spindle Carrots

I've had a bucket of old chair spindles in the workshop for years. I made this Chair Spindle Snowflake with some of them and used others as Fabric Pumpkin Stems. I was happy to put the smallest of the spindles to good use with these faux carrots. I found the artificial greens to use as carrot tops at the dollar store.

Clean up the ends of the chair spindles by trimming them with a miter saw. Paint them to look like real carrots with dry brushed layers of paint.

Dry Brush Tip:

To dry brush, all you do is dip just the tips of your paintbrush into the paint so there is very little paint on the brush. With little pressure on the brush paint random brush strokes so the dark stain still shows in spots.

Starting with the darkest orange paint color (sorry it's a custom color that I mixed ages ago and forgot to label). Once dry to the touch (mere minutes) dry brush a layer of yellow paint (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Arles). Repeat for the final lighter orange craft paint color.

Once the paint is dry, poke a hole in the center of each spindle at the top with an Awl. Drill a hole for the faux carrot top greens with a small drill bit the same size as the stems on the faux greens.

Clip the faux greens with wire cutters, put a dab of E6000 glue on the ends of the stem, and slip them into the spindles (as pictured below).

Planting The Carrots And Speckled Eggs

Place the three now clean and dry faux wheatgrass mats on top of the pea gravel. Push the carrots through the grid of the faux grass and then through the pea gravel to hold in place. Nestle the speckled eggs in the grass between each carrot. I mixed both speckled eggs and plain colored ones in my centerpiece.

That's it - how adorable is this? For more DIY inspiration visit my Spring & Easter Ideas page and/or my Spring|Easter Board on Pinterest.

For This Project You Will Need:

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience so you can see what products I used or recommend to make this project. See my full disclosure policy.

Rectangular Tin Box (wood or glass)
Artificial Wheatgrass Mats
Small Pea Gravel
White Chalk Paint
220 Grit Sandpaper
Clear Chalk Paint Wax
Color Chalkboard Easter Eggs
Graphite Craft Paint
Small Paint Brush or Old Toothbrush
Small Chair Spindles (salvaged)
Dark Orange, Light Orange, Mustard Yellow Paint
Artificial Carrot Top Greens
Awl
Small Drill Bit
Drill
E6000 Glue

If you have any questions about this makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.